Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay targeting 18S rRNA gene of Babesia sp. was standardized to detect bovine babesiosis in Telangana state, India. The amplified products of Babesia genus specific PCR were further subjected to species-specific verification targeting Apocytochrome B gene of Babesia bovis. The genus specific PCR yielded a product of 440 bp whereas the species specific PCR assay yielded 711 bp length product on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. A total of 158 bovine whole blood samples were collected simultaneously along with blood smears from different parts of Telangana state for PCR assay and blood smear examination, respectively. The analytical sensitivity of standardized PCR assay targeting Apocytochrome B gene detected as low as 390.62 pg. of B. bovis DNA. The conventional Giemsa staining technique could detect only 1 (0.63%) positive case out of 158 bovine blood samples collected. The present study recommends application of standardized PCR assay in the diagnosis of bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bovis in the field.